WHEELING, W.Va. — An early start on the road along with a 24-save shutout from rookie Mark Sinclair propelled the Cyclones to a 4-0 win over the Wheeling Nailers Friday night at WesBanco Arena, extending Cincinnati's undefeated start to 3-0 on the season.
Cody Caron and Patrick Polino each scored, and Justin Vaive netted two goals on the night. Matt Berry and Louie Caporusso accounted for two assists each.
Caron's goal of the season came off a pass from the right point by Jalen Smereck, who delivered the puck into the slot, where Caron drove it past Wheeling's Taylor Gauthier to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead 5:45 into the game.
Vaive's first goal came at 15:56, when he received a pass threaded to him behind the Nailers defense from Caporusso. The Cyclones captain cut to his back hand to tally his second goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.
Mark Sinclair made his first start in net this season, turning aside all 24 shots. A key save from Sinclair came in the second period, when Wheeling's Bobby Hampton march towards the front of the net and fired a heavy shot that the Cincinnati net minder who denied the scoring chance.
Polino scored the only goal of the second period. Emmett Sproule cradled the puck in center ice and pushed it over to Lee Lapid in transition. Lapid crossed into the Nailer zone, then flicked the puck across to Polino who delivered the one-timer to extend Cincinnati's lead to a 3-0 lead.
Vaive finished off the scoring with an empty net goal late in the final period to notch his third goal of the year.
Cincinnati will be play their home opener Saturday night against the Iowa Heartlanders.
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